A blue-and-gold celebration is in order: The Indianapolis Colts have chosen former FIU MVP T.Y. Hilton to join their roster in the third round of the 2012 National Football League Draft.

Photo: Samuel Lewis.

A former FIU All-American and four-time Sun Belt Conference first-team pick, Hilton got the call April 27 informing him he was the 92nd overall 2012 selection, which makes him the highest Panther ever chosen in the NFL Draft.

This marks the second-straight year an FIU player has been picked in the draft and the fourth time overall. Hilton was the first offensive player from the Sun Belt Conference selected in this year’s draft (he skipped the draft in 2011 in order to finish his studies and stick with the Panthers).

“It’s a blessing to be picked by the Indianapolis Colts,” our former #4 said. “I was a little anxious there for a moment seeing all these teams pass me by. But, I knew it only takes one team to pick you and I’m thankful for the Indianapolis Colts for taking a chance on me.

“I’m looking forward to catching passes from Andrew Luck.”

Hilton had a stellar senior season for FIU in 2011, finishing the year with 1,038 receiving yards and a school record-tying seven receiving touchdowns. This past year, Hilton broke several FIU and Sun Belt career records including receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, all-purpose yards and kickoff return yards. The Panther scored 37 touchdowns during his FIU career. Click here for more on his career so far.

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